- $3,300 RAISED OF $5,000 GOAL
- 5 DONORS
- 11 DAYS REMAINING
HONOR ROLL
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Rene Roupinian $100.00
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Danielle Matlick $50.00
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Heather Shea $50.00
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Ann Crain $100.00
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Angele McGrady $3,000.00
empowHER Leadership Retreat
The empowHER Leadership Retreat was created to provide incoming fourth through ninth grade students from diverse backgrounds with the tools to find confidence, passion and purpose in their lives.
With support and education in our interactive workshops, empowHER participants learn to embrace their strengths and differences, build their self-confidence and engage in service projects to give back to their community. Addressing pervasive issues like cyberbullying and societal pressures, empowHER is on a transformative mission—to provide students with the essential tools, support, and a sense of community needed to navigate the complexities of adolescence—allowing them to emerge as resilient, confident, and empowered individuals.
empowHER was created to honor April Bocian, a promising young basketball player who was being recruited by former MSU coach Suzy Merchant. Unfortunately, April faced various challenges and completed suicide during the recruitment process. In tribute, Merchant and April’s parents felt a deep calling to honor her life and uplift young girls in our community who could face similar struggles.
Your generous donation to empowHER will directly impact the success of our programs, enabling us to provide essential resources for retreat participants and their parents. Join us in empowering the next generation of resilient, confident, and successful young women—your support will make all the difference.
Your Support Will Change Lives
Together, let's create a world where everyone knows they are not alone—where we can confidently embrace our true selves, seek help when needed, and thrive within a supportive community.
Scheduled for Tuesday, July 15 through Friday, July 17, 2025, in Brody Hall, the empowHER Leadership Retreat is not just an event; it's a transformative experience. In response to the evolving social landscape and the increasing influence of social media, empowHER is strategically designed to combat bullying, enhance self-confidence, and create a lasting sense of community during the three-day retreat.
Beyond the days themselves, empowHER's commitment extends to its parents, presenters and mentors. empowHER will hold parent sessions to ensure the retreat is as impactful as possible. Mentors are predominantly MSU college students who serve as living examples and role models carefully selected for their inspirational journeys, bringing a personal touch to the empowerment process.
Your support ensures that this ripple effect of empowerment goes beyond the confines of the event, creating a lasting impact on both mentors and participants alike.
Project Budget
To keep the registration cost accessible at $100 for all three days, empowHER relies on donor support to offset the total cost per participant. This covers the speakers' fees, supplies, marketing, and more, helping maximize the days’ impact.
Your donation directly influences the success of our programs, enabling us to provide essential resources and scholarships to those who need them, ensuring the retreat remains accessible to the whole community.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can further impact the retreat, please contact Danielle Matlick, Associate Director of Development and empowHER Fundraising Co-Chair.
Who We Are
The volunteer empowHER Leadership Board is comprised of women community leaders and MSU professionals, who play a pivotal role in making empowHER a reality year after year.
Join us in the journey of transforming lives and empowering the next generation that is resilient, confident and successful.
Make a Gift by Mail:
University Advancement
Spartan Way
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824
*Make check payable to Michigan State University and write “Appeal 25OOPCF1GTEMPH” in the note section.